Recommend designated passenger stops, traffic lights to reduce congestion
The Transport Commissioner and Inspector General (Traffic) have come up with nearly a dozen suggestions to streamline traffic in the Srinagar city, including revision of route permits of a large number of cabs and taxis plying in the summer capital on daily basis.
The set of suggestions have been submitted by the authorities to the J&K High Court, which is hearing public interest litigation about the traffic mess and illegal structures in the Srinagar city.
The High Court on November 26 had directed Transport Commissioner and IG (Traffic) to appear in the court and also told them to come up with a plan/suggestions so as to alleviate the sufferings of the people in general and commuters in particular on account of traffic congestion in the Srinagar city.
“Encroachments on roads as well as on footpaths in Srinagar city need to be permanently removed,” the duo has submitted in their suggestions for regulating traffic in the city.
“Huge number of (Tata) Sumos and other Maxi cabs, which have been issued ‘All J&K Route Permits’ are operating in Srinagar city. The policy on renewal of permits of these vehicles needs to be revisited to fix point to point routes for better regulation of these vehicles,” the two suggested.
They also said additional stands need to be identified for better regulation of matadors/minibuses in Srinagar city. “Besides, additional bus stops/bays need to be identified at different places in Srinagar city to put an end to the practice of pick and drop of passengers from any point,” the duo suggested while seeking designated bus stops/passenger sheds in the city for hassle-free traffic movement.
“Existing non-functional traffic lights need to be made functional and additional traffic lights, wherever required, need to be established at all the intersections/crossings.”
“The road dividers of sufficient length need to be erected at all the intersections /crossings (with or without traffic lights) so as to ensure one-way traffic movement at the crossings,” the officials suggested.
For the convenience of commuters, the authorities have also suggested that zebra crossings/yellow lines need to be marked on all the intersections/crossings having traffic lights.
“Traffic booths need to be constructed at crossings/ intersections where traffic policemen on duty can temporarily take shelter during rain/snow and during long hours of standing duty,” they suggested.
The High Court, which has already taken these suggestions on record, in its fresh orders issued this week, said: “These suggestions shall be deemed to be part of the court order. The respondent state and its authorities are directed to implement all these suggestions and report compliance by next date of hearing.”
